The Honolulu Electronic Town Meeting

Abstract

This a preliminary report on a recent experience with an old idea—the use of modern electronic communication technologies to increase citizen participation in governmental decision making. A more critical and in-depth evaluation of the exercise will be undertaken later, but I hope this presentation will generate not only helpful and critical comments from readers, but also information about similar exercises elsewhere. Although I have been involved with the project from the beginning, the lion share of the credit must go to Professor Ted Becker of the Political Science, Department of Political Science, University of Hawaii.